Breaking boundaries Breaking boundaries

Contents 4-5 the business Better tools, better safety of breaking 6 the hidden cost of buying a tool The mechanisation of the demolition industry brought with it increased levels of productivity, profitability 7-9 the TE 3000 on test and, above all, safety. With this in mind, it’s important to make sure your get your hire arrangements right 10-11 The advantages explained Hire We’re always on the look-out demolition paul salmon for innovative new products that Gary bishop help to make it even easier for our customers to get a job done a news supplement, in safely while saving them time collaboration with: and money. Product performance At HSS Hire, we’re all about and technical specifications are a The National Federation of helping our customers to work key part of our product selection Demolition Contractors recently safely, efficiently and cost- process – only the most robust celebrated its 70th anniversary effectively. We focus on the things and efficient kit makes it into with a book charting its that they told us matter most to our fleet. remarkable history. them – safety, value, availability We have a full service and One of the most intriguing and support – in order to deliver rigorous pre-hire service and post- aspects of the book – The History an unrivalled hire experience. hire maintenance regime to of the NFDC: Seven Decades of Of course, a big part of what ensure that equipment always Strength – was the way in which we do is centred around the stays safe, compliant and ready for mechanisation has changed the products we hire. We’re well our customers to use. very nature of what we do. Indeed, known for our wide range of But it’s not just about the tools the demolition industry of today tools and equipment – you can and equipment. At HSS Hire, we would be all but unrecognisable to hire anything from lighting think how you hire is just as our forebears who started the and powered access to air- important as what you hire so NFDC in the immediate conditioning and gardening we’ve got a clever range of aftermath of the Blitz. equipment – and a whole lot equipment management plans Whether it was the advent of more besides – from us. We and other hire-related services to powerful hand tools to replace continue to invest in our fleet help make things ever easier for cumbersome sledgehammers and to ensure we stock the best and our customers. Having the right mattocks or the high-reach latest equipment, and plenty equipment will always be excavators and demolition robots of it. fundamental but having the right that remove men almost entirely service and support to go with it is from the workface, this “How you hire is really important too. equipment has made the just as important demolition industry more Paul Salmon is category buyer at productive and more profitable as what you hire ” HSS Hire than ever before.

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Supplement editor Andrew Gaved Head of production Kim Sampson

2 | CN breaker supplement 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk Better tools, better safety The mechanisation of the demolition industry brought with it increased levels of productivity, profitability and, above all, safety. With this in mind, it’s important to make sure your get your hire arrangements right

But, above all, it has made our operations safer. As mechanisation has increased, so accident rates have fallen. And thanks to the development of vibration-dampened hand tools, even the unforeseen side- effects of the mechanisation process – such as vibration white finger – have been largely overcome. Of course, we’re under no illusion that equipment manufacturers made these developments out of some kind of altruism; they did so to make a profit. But in making that profit, they have made Rubble rousers the UK demolition industry the undisputed world leader When it comes to breakers, power must come with responsibility and ensured that those of us that work in what was once eDITOR’S the breakers is that the tool has to breaker, which has dominated the perceived as a hazardous COMMENT be pretty powerful if it is to drive sector. And, of course, it doesn’t industry can go home safely andrew gaved down into concrete, yet it is the need a compressor. at night. very power that risks damaging If the TE 3000 does challenge Frankly, that’s a small price the operative through vibration, the dominance of the to pay, and we owe equipment noise and dust. Since the vibration jackhammer, it will be a manufacturers such as Hilti There’s no doubt about it – heavy regulations came in seven years remarkable feat, given that an enormous debt of gratitude. breaking is a tough business. ago, it basically seems to have pneumatic tools has been the Whether working amidst the been accepted that the only way preferred choice of breaking for Gary Bishop is president of the remnants of a dismantled building to reduce exposure is to use the well over a century. National Federation of Demolition or taking up a road surface, it’s a breaker for much less time. Some fairly dramatic claims Contractors harsh environment and the work have already been made for this is physically demanding. tool and conscious of this, Hilti As a result, the operatives that “Some of the demo was keen to prove its ability in a do the work pride themselves on boys clearly relish real-world setting, in the hands being pretty tough themselves. being able to go not of its own technicians, but of Put into a London 2012 analogy, sceptical operatives – and in front they are the sort of people more into battle against of a world-weary trade journalist. likely to be entering the weight- the concrete slab” The result, as seen on pages 7 to 9, lifting than the rhythmic turned out to be pretty dramatic gymnastics. It’s hardly surprising, itself. given that the breakers they work It is into this world that Hilti has Of course, field tests such as with are a pretty powerful piece of cast its TE 3000-AVR, a 30 kg these have to be taken in context – machinery and their job is to breaker that claims to offer not the actions of the operatives and reduce things to rubble. only the best performance in its the conditions of the day all have Some of the demo boys clearly class but also one of the lowest to be taken into account. But if relish being able to go into battle vibrations. As if this wasn’t enough, you are an equally sceptical against the concrete slab with it is also claimed to be able to out- specifier of breakers, you may their breakers at the ready. break that warhorse of the want to take a look at this But breakers can be dangerous. breaking world, the jackhammer, supplement and test the claims – The challenge for those who make aka the compressed air-powered and the tool – for yourself.

www.cnplus.co.uk CN breaker supplement 2012 | 3 Breaking boundaries The business of breaking Pressure on productivity within tighter health and safety parameters is shaking up demolition – and Hilti has been on a quest to tackle vibration

Health & safety until the mid-1980s that hand- “People will always choose David Taylor arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) electric tools if the performance became widely recognised as a is there,” says Hilti GB head of The 30 kg breaker is the serious threat to occupational product management Walid workhorse of many a jobsite – an health. Hussain. Electric tools are simply indispensible tool in slab work in Hilti has been one of the more more convenient, more versatile demolition and probably the most proactive product manufacturers and more user-friendly than air visible feature of most streetworks in the quest to tackle vibration, tools, he argues. undertaken by utility contractors. working closely with the HSE and “Compressors are ‘beasts’ that Traditionally, heavy breaking in tool users to develop machines need to be registered with the this context has meant using air that combine high productivity authorities. You have to tow them power, the noisy and violently with low vibration. around, and you can’t use a small shaking air tool drill being The latest manifestation of one – you need at least 100 litres/ powered by an equally noisy and this research programme is the min for a 30 kg breaker. fume-belching compressor. TE 3000-AVR, an electric breaker “Then there’s the noise and the For many years this that for the first time promises fumes, and the cost. The price of combination was the norm, and to deliver the power and diesel is going up all the time and only comparatively recently has performance to match existing even a new compressor will easily there been a tendency to find less air tools. consume seven litres per hour. disruptive, less potentially That’s far more expensive than harmful alternatives. Vibration reduction mains electricity.” As the industry has become Using Hilti’s Active Vibration A lot of sites have a 110 V more aware of health and safety Reduction (AVR) technology, the supply already, so an issues, contractors, manufacturers breaker generates vibration of less electric breaker can and hirers have focused on than 7 m/s2 to give four hours and simply be plugged making improvements to five minutes of permissible trigger in and you’re ready 2 equipment and practices that time – more than enough for a to go. 7 m/s mitigate any harm to the user. typical day’s work. For sites that Vibration figure At the same time, they have had Launched last year in the UK, only have a 240 V for the to keep one eye on productivity – the TE 3000-AVR has been piloted supply, a simple what use is a safe method of by a handful of demanding Hilti transformer does the TE 3000 relatively thin and working if it isn’t economically customers. job. “Where there’s no flexible and circuit viable? For them, a breaker must offer mains, a 4 kVA generator is breakers ensure safety in Noise has always been an issue, the best possible performance more than enough,” explains the event of the cable sustaining even though modern ear without generating a prohibitive Mr Hussain. any damage. protection can now reduce amount of vibration. It must also “It doesn’t use as much fuel as a On the TE 3000, the power exposure for operatives to an be cost-effective, easy to use and, compressor and it doesn’t have to cord is detachable, preventing acceptable level. ideally, simple to transport and set be towed.” any problems from snagging – There is still the nuisance up on site. The inflexible hose feeding an and reducing the need for aspect, especially in the utility air tool (or a hydraulic one) often replacement into the bargain. sector where the jobsite might be makes handling difficult – and The historic problem with in the middle of a bustling high can represent a significant safety electric breakers was that they street or quiet residential area. “If there is a tool risk in itself. simply lacked the power of their Although there is a limit to the that can do the An air tool hose that comes air tool rivals and yet still vibrated amount of noise reduction adrift under pressure will flail too much at the handle to offer a achievable with an impact tool, work of a air tool violently and can cause serious ‘low vibration’ alternative. dispensing with the constant roar breaker with less injury; and while chains and But now the significant of a diesel compressor can greatly tethers are available to restrain difference with the TE 3000 is reduce the amount of noise vibration, we’re a loose hose, they are too often that while it claims the lowest generated during breaking. going to be not used. vibration value of any electric Vibration is a more serious interested” By contrast, the power cable to breaker in the 30 kg class (its problem. Although first described an electric breaker – even a nearest rival generates an by doctors 100 years ago, it was not Paul Salmon, HSS powerful tool like the TE 3000 – is acceleration of 8 m/s2, providing a

4 | CN breaker supplement 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk The business of breaking

Hydraulic breakers are less convenient on site than electric equivalents

the vital vibration question The Control of Vibration at Work welfare of those who work for Kier Regulations 2005 was a game- and for subcontractors who work on changer for the construction its sites. “Trigger time is critical, and industry. For the first time, there was in the demolition industry trigger a limit set to the levels of hand-arm time is pretty intense,” he says, “After vibration that an individual could the legislation came in I was aware of undergo over a given time period – a lot of concern about the effects and with many tools at the time, this this would have on productivity.” permissible trigger time of three safely, efficiently and cost- meant only a matter of minutes’ Restrictions on trigger time forced hours eight minutes – almost an effectively and as a result we usage time. contractors to look for alternative hour less) it still delivers 68 joules choose our fleet very carefully. The magnitude of a tool’s methods, such as using mini- of impact energy – enough to rival Product quality and performance vibration – its amplitude and excavators equipped with breaker any air tool. is very important. frequency – is what causes the nerve attachments. For some the choice “This is important,” says Mr “When it comes to kit, our and muscle damage resulting in was simply to rotate workers in order Hussain, “because not only is the bottom line is: is it efficient? Is HAVS. But time is a crucial element to get the job done to time. TE 3000 more powerful than its it productive? And most – the longer a person is exposed to “There was clearly a demand for rivals, but its low vibration level importantly, is it safe? this vibration (the ‘trigger time’) the breakers that simply didn’t produce effectively doubles the available “If there is a tool that can do the higher the risk of injury. the vibration of the existing tools,” trigger time.” work of an air tool breaker with This is now a constant says Mr Turrell. “So something like less vibration, more trigger-time consideration for the TE 3000 which has very low Choosing inventory and with the convenience of construction health manager Andy vibration levels but lots of power is a One customer that has embraced electric power, we’re going to be Turrell, who has responsibility for the real step forward for the industry”. the TE 3000 with enthusiasm is interested in it.” leading tool hire company HSS. Following a thorough in-house “For our customers in the technical evaluation, HSS has fleet of this equipment in the “There are still applications demolition and construction made a significant investment in UK by far. where the customer will want the sectors, the 30 kg breaker is an the new 30 kg breakers. Mr Salmon stresses that HSS is air tool option, for example where important product line,” says HSS They will offer the TE 3000 not ditching the air tool option. other air tools like scabblers and Category Buyer Paul Salmon. throughout their nationwide “This is an enhancement to scrapers are being used as well. “We’re all about helping our network and will become at a our range – it’s not replacing However, the TE 3000 is a great customers to do what they need to stroke the owner of the largest anything,” says Mr Salmon. addition to our range.”

www.cnplus.co.uk CN breaker supplement 2012 | 5 Breaking theboundaries mould

The cost of quality can be a price well worth paying Calculating the true cost of owning a breaker means looking for the hidden costs, such as repair, maintenance and wear-parts

COSTS Yearly total Tool system cost DAVID TAYLOR 8,000 Hilti’s new TE 3000-AVR is far 7,000 from being the cheapest 30 kg 6,000 electric breaker on the market, 5,000 and the manufacturer is the first 4,000 to accept the fact. “It’s a premium 3,000 spreads the cost into a fixed price, but a premium product too,” (£) costs Yearly 2,000 monthly sum. “It gives owners cost says head of product management 1,000 certainty and cashflow benefits,” Walid Hussain. “It’s the first and 0 says Mr Hussain. only corded breaker to give the 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 The company’s Lifetime Service Usage hours (h) equivalent power and cover is designed to support this TE 3000 without generator TE 3000 with generator Air Tool with new compressor performance as an air tool.” Air Tool with old compressor Mini excavator concept of cradle-to-grave He points out that once all the ownership. “Once you buy the tool Ongoing costs are hugely significant over the lifetime of tools and plant attendant costs of alternatives are there are no additional costs for factored in, the operating cost of the next two years,” says Mr the breaker is actually cheaper – are designed to be self- total cost of ownership and the Hussain. And he means all costs, there’s no need to invest in a diesel sharpening: “The core of the operating cost to our customers,” he stresses. compressor, for a start. And with its chisel is made of harder steel than says Paul Salmon of HSS, which All routine maintenance, low vibration levels, the TE 3000 the outside, so it wears to a sharp has just become the owner of the replacement of parts – including can work for longer, too. point instead of becoming dull.” UK’s biggest TE 3000 fleet. “We use wear-parts – and repair are free. The true cost of any piece of kit At the same time, the polygon a cradle-to-grave cost model that After those two years, Hilti has to be calculated over its shape avoids the risk of snagging looks at everything, including the guarantees that no repair will cost entire service life and Hilti’s in the material being broken. cost of repair and maintenance”. more than 30 per cent of the tool’s development efforts are focused Customers agree that lifetime To sugar that initial-cost pill, original purchase price. very clearly on maximising this value has to be more important Hilti has launched a Fleet “We basically absorb the risk for liftetime performance. It claims than initial cost. “We look at the Management programme that the customer,” says Mr Hussain. that the combination of build quality, extended trigger time and Customer feedback performance delivers top class value over the lifetime of the For 12 months before its official “The tool we had previously wasn’t as electric breaker if we can, but until machine. Even its chisels have launch, a handful of willing effective and we could only use it for now the air breaker was often the been specifically designed to customers agreed to trial the TE 20 minutes a day,” says Mr Swanwick. only machine that could do the job. improve cost efficiency. 3000-AVR and provide feedback. The company altered its methods, “We moved to the Kango 2500 “Consumables are key. Even the We spoke to two of them. using more drilling and cutting, but and Bosch 11304 which were OK at most powerful breaker won’t work “We’ve been looking for years to found it still needed breakers. The the time, but they became unrealistic efficiently with a blunt or worn find a tool with low vibration,” says TE 3000 from Hilti has now filled that when the new vibration regulations chisel,” says Mr Hussain. The Dave Swanwick, managing director gap. Mr Swanwick believes other came out. polygonal cross-section chisels with demolition specialist East users will soon follow suit. “We then tried the Hilti TE 905 and Midlands Diamond Drilling (formerly “Once a successful company is seen TE 1500 and now we’re using the Vickers Highbank). using a new product, others want to TE 3000 which really can do the job “Consumables are “We stopped using air tools years know what it’s all about. There’s of an air breaker.” ago, but it’s been a real struggle to nothing to touch the TE 3000 – our Mr Eastoe concedes that air tools key. Even the most find something that could replace guys love it. We won’t use any other will always have a role, particularly powerful breaker them. Vibration levels were a real sort of breaker now unless someone where compressed air is being problem and we had to rotate shifts brings out something better. I can’t supplied for other equipment, but he won’t work in order to get the work done.” see that happening any time soon.” believes electric equipment has the efficiently with Electric breakers seemed to offer a Kilnbridge plant manager Doug advantage, at least in the demolition solution, but vibration was still a Eastoe had also tried a number of sector. a blunt chisel” problem and power was disappointing. alternatives. “We will always use an “All our equipment is 110 V,” he says. Walid Hussain, Hilti

6 | CN breaker supplement 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk Meet the blockbusters The TE 3000-AVR is put thoroughly to the test in real-world conditions, with dramatic results

comparative testing independent scrutiny only a logistics, came against the leading 30 kg electric Andrew Gaved health and safety manager could along to observe proceedings. competitors; then the top provide. Fulfilling that role was One more detail should be hydraulic rival; then finally the For a number of years, Hilti has Kier’s construction health mentioned about this test. It was air-powered version – all fresh set out to prove its claims for its manager Andy Turrell, armed with cold. Perishing cold. One of those from the box, or the hirer. products where this matters most, vibration exposure spreadsheets, cold spring days that had come to not in the ideal conditions of the multiple sets of PPE and the ability us via the Arctic. Like any thriller, On the tools laboratory but out in the field in to analyse a risk at 50 paces. Along this detail will become important Lancebox had put three operatives the hands of the operators who with a small army of Hilti by the end of this story. up for the task, offering a range of will use the tools day in, day out. personnel to ensure smooth The proving ground or, more experiences. They ranged from To put the TE 3000 to the test, aptly, the battleground was a Jatin, the youngest and keen the manufacturer invited a group series of metre cube concrete to win, via Danny with a few of demolition operatives from blocks, upon which the operative years under his belt, up to the Dartford contractor Lancebox “The hydraulic stood. The task, quite simply, was ‘silverback’ of the group, Ross. Demolition to work with the breaker was clearly to break the block down against First up, all three went head to breaker against a range of typical the clock until they had nothing head on the electric tools, with competitors. powerful, but the left to stand on and it was in Ross taking the TE 3000. It The test took place at Kier hydraulic line kept small enough fragments to be quickly became clear that the Services in Chawston, getting in the way” carted away in a skip. Hilti tool was able to penetrate Bedfordshire, where it could Three tests were planned: more easily into the concrete, benefit from the sort of intense, Ross, Lancebox tester pitting the breaker in sequence and crucially to release again. www.cnplus.co.uk CN breaker supplement 2012 | 7 Breaking theboundaries mould

Electric breakers: test 1* hydraulic breaker: test 1* Concrete broken in Percentage of concrete Percentage of concrete Concrete broken in Percentage of concrete 11 min 29 secs broken in 11 min 29 secs broken in 11 min 29 secs 19 min 28 secs broken in 19 min 28 secs

5 100 10 100

% % % % % 60

Hilti TE 3000-AVR Bosch GSH 27 VC Makita HM1810 Hilti TE 3000-AVR Leading hydraulic breaker Electric breakers: test 2** hydraulic breaker: test 2** Concrete broken in Percentage of concrete Percentage of concrete Concrete broken in Percentage of concrete 12 min 3 secs broken in 12 min 3 secs broken in 12 min 3 secs 14 min 12 secs broken in 14 min 12 secs

100 10 10 100

40 % % % % %

Hilti TE 3000-AVR Bosch GSH 27 VC*** Makita HM1810 Hilti TE 3000-AVR Leading hydraulic breaker

Percentage refers to approximate amount of concrete block broken up to the time it took the TE 3000-AVR to complete the task. The blocks used were standard 40 N/mm² concrete *New drill bits at test one. **Same drill bit used for test two for all electric and hydraulic tools. ***Bosch never broke concrete to floor level during this test, just 70 per cent down the block depth

In just eleven and a half Clearly Hilti would not be on its own, because it will other electric tools and, in minutes, it was all over. Ross stood submitting to tests such as these penetrate at a range of angles seasoned hands, Ross made proudly amidst a pile of rubble unless it was confident of success, without getting jammed. decent headway. while his colleagues were still but the manner of the destruction The operatives were rotated for But once Jatin had got the hang standing on some pretty solid wrought by Ross with the TE 3000 the next test, effectively to of not overworking the breaker, remnants. The Bosch particularly surprised even the Hilti personnel. eliminate the possibility that the and angling it into the block, the had made little impact on the As can be seen in the comparative previous result might be down to TE 3000 was again first to the block, seeming to struggle to volumes in the pie charts above, Ross being some kind of Jedi of finishing line. make the crucial initial fractures. in less than a quarter of an hour, the breaking world. Thus the TE “The hydraulic breaker was “Lots of effort, but not enough Ross had managed to break 90 to 3000 was set against the leading clearly powerful, but the hydraulic power,” said Danny. 95 per cent more concrete than hydraulic breaker. line kept getting in the way,” said It is worth noting that the TE leading rival electric tools. If this test had included Ross. Given the relative experience 3000 has a lower vibration figure setting-up times, the advantage levels, the Hilti observers than both the Makita and the Experienced hands was clearly going to the electric proclaimed themselves pleased Bosch, but greater power behind It is clear that in experienced tool, as it simply required plugging with the result – still a 40 per cent the chisel, says Hilti breaker guru hands the tool can make serious in to the nearest generator rather difference in breaking volume. Christian Delladio; since the job headway. Holding the tool angled than the various stages required to “Because the TE 3000 is a is likely to be over much more away from the body rather than get the petrol engine and hydraulic much lighter option, with lower quickly, according to these leaning over it and letting the lines running satisfactorily. vibration than the hydraulic results, actually the Hilti will breaker recoil do the work rather Pitting the less experienced breaker, it will be better for provide less exposure to hand- than pushing down both paid but clearly determined to win productivity and health,” said arm vibration for the operative. dividends. “It made mincemeat of Jatin against Ross on the Mr Delladio. “Remember that judging the block,” said Ross hydraulic breaker proved a exposure to vibration is more than Mr Delladio noted that the fascinating test. As might be Air power tested just comparing vibration levels; it patent polygonal chisel had been expected, the hydraulic breaker The boys then swapped round and is about factoring in productivity shown to improve breaking proved a much more powerful Jatin worked the hydraulic as well,” Mr Delladio said. performance by about 20 per cent competitor to the Hilti than the against Danny on the Hilti model.

8 | CN breaker supplement 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk LANCEBOX DEMOLITION Lancebox Demolition is a contractor based in Dartford, Kent. The firm, in existence for 20 years and with a staff of 100, has built a reputation in London and the South-east, but also works nationwide. Lancebox boasts the ability to work on projects up to £2 million, with a wide range of capabilities from asbestos surveys to high-reach demolition to recycling services. A demolition and strip-out specialist, the firm has worked closely with major contractors such as Kier and Mansell, and also acts as principal contractor in its own right. Among its high-profile jobs have been the internal strip-out of the head office of a leading bank, while it remained “Judging exposure more productive option. encountered the problem of ice operational, and an £800,000 job In the chilly environs of in the line once again, despite dismantling a Sussex chicken to vibration is Chawston it certainly proved multiple attempts to warm it up. factory, including full demolition more than just vastly more productive, since the “It is a problem of which the and asbestos removal from the air tool’s compressor failed to industry is very well aware,” said 4 ha site. comparing peak start. Despite the attentions of a Mr Wardle. “Every year companies The contractor operates its own levels; it is about crew of mechanics, the air line lose valuable money on downtime fleet of plant, together with its own factoring in stubbornly refused to operate. and contingency plans for tool team of fitters. When it comes to Richard Wardle, Hilti heavy failure.” handheld breakers, Lancebox has productivity power tools product manager, Hilti has since performed its tended to hire in, specifying electric as well” explained the problem: “Once the own tests, he said. “Since the models for their ease of set-up and temperature drops under 5 deg C product was launched we have use. Given their preference for rival CHRISTIAN DELLADIO, HILTI the machine often becomes undertaken several product brands to Hilti in the past, the inoperative. Below this demonstrations against air tools. As Lancebox team were impressed at The result proved the theory that temperature there is plenty a general rule of thumb the the achievements of the TE 3000. experience can further increase of moisture in the air, and as performance of hydraulic and air Says Lancebox tester Ross: “We productivity, with a faster finish it begins to freeze it gets inside the breakers is largely similar. Based on have not had the opportunity to for the TE 3000, and a whopping tool and locks the mechanisms.” performance alone, the air tool has test one off against the other 60 per cent more volume broken Such misfiring plays havoc never broken more than 50 per cent before. It’s a good idea, as otherwise than the hydraulic rival. with any attempts to provide a of the block once the TE 3000 has you just tend to believe that the Finally the testers prepared to head-to-head trial, independently completed the task.” brand you are using is the best.” put the Hilti up against the observed and audited. CN was Lest anyone should require Marketing and development leading air tool. Expectation was subsequently dispatched to further convincing, Hilti says it is manager Robert Williamson sums high in the Hilti camp, as air tools witness another attempt, this more than willing to organise a it up: “You wouldn’t have thought dominate in this heavy-breaking time in the crisper environment real-world demonstration using a one breaker could be so different sector, and the team believed their of Hilti’s product development contractor’s own operatives and from the rest.” product would prove a better, centre. Unfortunately, we field conditions. www.cnplus.co.uk CN breaker supplement 2012 | 9 Breaking boundaries Anatomy of a breaker The TE 3000 AVR’s outstanding performance in the field test has been achieved by a series of design innovations. Eight years in development, the 30 kg-class breaker houses a range of new features which the manufacturer believes gives it a material advantage, both in performance and safety

Brushless motor Inside each breaker is Hilti’s brushless SR (switch reluctance) motor. Where other breaker manufacturers rely on conventional carbon brushes in their motors, Hilti has removed them altogether. This, the firm says, immediately removes one of the most common maintenance costs for the owner, not to mention risk of overheating and the loss of performance and downtime poor brushes can cause. Another maintenance benefit is the tool’s three sealed chambers, preventing dust infiltration. This leads Hilti to describe it as “maintenance-free”. Without carbon brushes there is no friction in the motor, which makes for greater power efficiency, and it is able to better accommodate voltage fluctuations than conventional motors.

Impact striker

When it comes to the breaker’s impact stroke, size is everything. The TE 3000 has a striker weighing 2.08 kg, whereas its nearest competitor’s striker weighs less tha half as much at 0.96 kg. This provides impact energy of 68 joules, beating the nearest competitor by 18 joules, or 36 per cent. “For a floor breaker, this energy difference really shows in performance,” says Hilti’s Christian Delladio.

10 | CN breaker supplement 2012 www.cnplus.co.uk Detachable cord The TE 3000 is the first Vibration reduction large breaker to feature a system detachable mains cord, so if it should get snagged or Hilti’s AVR system, standing for Active damaged the cord can be Vibration Reduction, comprises a replaced, rather than putting series of springs and pivots that the whole tool out of action – effectively decouples the side handles a common service issue from the business end of the tool. The with breakers. vibration in the direction of the hammer is reduced by a damping mechanism, while counterbalancing further reduces the vibrating effects. The result is a machine that feels much lighter than its power suggests and a triple-axis vibration that enables Hilti to claim a best-in-class trigger time, boosting operator productivity. The manufacturer says it believes AVR, which it has been evolving since 1998, is its “biggest differentiator when it comes to breaking technology”. “We take ergonomics very seriously,” says Hilti’s Reinhard Schindler. “It can be very painful if you use tools with high vibration.”

Polygonal chisel

The polygon design of the chisel ensures that it is less likely to get stuck in the material it is breaking, improving performance by as much as 20 per cent, says Hilti. This design also is self-sharpening, so that even used models retain their shape, cutting down the need for resharpening or replacement. The combination of performance and long life are such TE 3000 AVR: that it is even becoming popular in the hard facts countries where resharpening is a way of life. Hilti’s chisel, on the right, has a Single impact energy 68 Joules radically different design to Hammer frequency 860 bpm competitors. Triaxial vibration (chiselling concrete) 7m/sec sq Weight 29.9 kg Noise 94 dB(a) Concrete removal rate 6 tonnes per hour www.cnplus.co.uk CN breaker supplement 2012 | 11 Better Equipped to provide hire service NOW AVAILABLE from

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